Pelliot tibétain 1285, verso
The verso of Pelliot tibétain 1285 is a pre-Buddhist Tibetan compendium of ritual knowledge preserved in the Dunhuang cave library, now held in the Bibliothèque nationale de France. Where the recto tells the story of how Bon healers proved their authority across the kingdoms of the Tibetan world (see "The Contest of Bon and Gshen," the companion translation), the verso preserves the tools of their trade: a bird catalogue, a disease catalogue, healing incantations, fortune-reading rites, creature taxonomies, mantras, and an iron-smithing origin myth.
The centrepiece is the Counting of the Birds — a systematic Old Tibetan ornithology that enumerates six groups of nine hundred and ninety birds each, organized by habitat: sky-birds, snow-birds, water-birds, cliff-birds, forest-birds, meadow-birds, and house-birds. Each group is described by its lead species, its sleeping place, its dreams, and its dawn-song. The catalogue is embedded within a larger ritual framework: the birds' dawn-songs "cut the fortune of the sky" — they are not merely counted but ritually activated as agents of cosmic order.
The manuscript is heavily damaged in places, particularly the opening lines and the mantra sections. Lacunae are indicated by [...]. First English translation. Translated from Old Tibetan by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.
The Origin Rite
[...] it was bestowed as sinew [...]
[...] the lord of [...] head and [...]
[...] descended [...] born [...]
[...] was bestowed as sinew. The woven one was bestowed as sinew [...]
[...] the fangs [...] were struck [...]
[...] the wool was fulled and fulled [...] upon the loom of Go Bo it was woven [...]
[...] Yam Sa, Yam Sa — when medicine was offered to the body, medicine was offered three [...]
[...] the wings were made complete. Three birds [...] in the dark land [...]
[...] lhog-se-lhogs — three birds [...]
[...] when it was offered, the sun-water poured [...] the medicine-water poured — lu mu [...]
The Journey to the Demon-Land
[...] at dawn they went to the demon-land, to Yang Ru. The crane birds [...] the ambrosia [...]
The demon-host was sought in sport. The demon-females were driven aside. The demon's [...]
Thus it came to pass. The horse-herders gathered and gathered. The demon-water was poured and drunk. The demon [...]
The dripping — at the threshold it was slain. The resin pressed hard. The flowing breast of ambrosia pressed hard. [...]
All of it — the ambrosia was pressed and slain. The nine adversities of heaven were completed and [...]
The land of Rkong was encircled, and so it was done. Now the blazing curse — the death-spirit of Gchan —
The Contest of Bird and Herder
The root-herder too was spoken of and slain.
At Rkong, upon the red cliff — three birds and two herders with their flocks. They competed [...] the birds nested and [...] the herder's nest was set below.
When the bird's body was hidden, the herder's body was also hidden. When the bird's eggs were rolled, the herder's eggs were also rolled [...] And the herder's children too [...]
The bird's child sprouted and lived. The herder's child withered and decayed. The herder's heart fell ill.
The three birds sent forth their young. The crane sent forth its young. When the herder tended the bird, he gazed above — he looked at the feathered wing.
The two birds — when the herder made the exchange, the exchange poured abundantly, from the land of Rkong to the borders of Tsang — and so it was done. The lineage of herders [...]
The Catalogue of Creatures
A cliff soared to the sky, bright and clear — zang nge zang! The red cliff of Kham soared to the sky, bright and clear — zang nge zang! From the clay, a human form was made. From the past, a pit was dug — the curtain and the curtain-frame, the pot and the pot-stand, the pottery and the grey-mouthed vessel, the conch and the ka-ya — all were spread wide. And the frog — in the white lake it was pressed down and placed.
The two gsas-demons, Thel Ma and Thel Chung, were invoked at the ice-mountain and slain. At the tree [...].
The two ka-ya demons, So Ma and So Chung, were invoked on the rocky ground and slain.
The two meadow-demons, Stag and Stag Cung, were invoked on the meadow and slain.
The two tree-demons, Khra Ma and Khra Cung, were invoked at the tree and slain.
The two tooth-demons, Yer Ba and Kham Ba, were invoked at the egg-place and slain.
Should great hail not fall from heaven, and should tremor and flood not stir from the earth — but should hail fall from heaven and tremor stir from the earth — then:
The byi-brun mouse — by three methods of Sgyer it was severed and slain.
The two water-demons, Bu Mo Rgyal Ba and Yeu Srin Ra, were invoked and in the water were slain.
The Catalogue of Diseases
The sky was listened to, and the hail was also listened to.
The cloud-edge was listened to, and the eight thunders were also listened to.
Human illness was listened to, and the nine risings were also listened to.
Horse illness was listened to, and the ten spleen-ailments were also listened to.
Cattle illness was listened to, and the hide-sore was also listened to.
Sheep illness was listened to, and the white-ash hoof-stamp was also listened to.
Goat illness was listened to, and the gang-sa was also listened to.
Pig illness was listened to, and the skull-cap was also listened to.
Yak illness was listened to, and the thar-gongs demon was also listened to.
Dog illness was listened to, and the matted-headed frenzy was also listened to.
Barley illness was listened to, and the bca' [...] was also listened to.
Wheat illness was listened to, and the corner-grinding worm was also listened to.
The dawn-omen is thus declared. The fortune is thus read:
The Reading of Fortune
The father's name: Lung Bas kyi Ya Phun — pale the man, pale the horse, pale the yak-wool cloak, exceedingly pale. The ornament [...] pale. The whip pale in hand. Pale behind.
The mother's name: Lung Bas kyi Ma, at Chab Bas kyi Ma Mtha'. Dbyal gyi Mo Sngo — blue the horse, blue the hair-tuft, blue the ornament [...]
From their union, five children: flesh and silk — thus and thus. Much silk, much [...] adorned upon the head. Flesh-boots and leather tents upon the feet. Three flame-torches in hand [...] A grey mane-rope fastened at the breast. A long-bodied dog behind, following. Dogs unleashed upon the [...] The eye of the flesh is fierce.
From a skin, a child was rolled. All the cliffs that were raised — dry and yeng-se-yeng! All the trees that were raised — bent and sig-se-sigs! All the waters that were raised — heads turning rog-se-rogs!
The listening is thus: Ro Gu raised his eyes. The noble daughter arose. Six fruits were cut and pressed. The pass and the [...] of heaven, great and vast — from the edges, yal-yal, many! From the pine-forest [...] the water of 'Bal and the new shoots [...] clear, clear, settling into autumn.
And still the small young one settled bright. When the dawn came, from above the dawn shone [...] abundance emerged. And still the small young one settled abundant.
The powerful one goes, goes — the demon-journey, the Dmu-departure. The dawn-omen is laid upon the fortune.
The queen — the Dmu-journey, the Dmu-departure. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The gnyan — the moon-journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The noble — the sun-journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The sling-lord — the star-journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The fair one — the rainbow-journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The abundant one — the cloud-journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The fair one — the medicine-journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The gnyan — the scattering-journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The klu and the drum — the journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The srin of craving and hostility — the journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The oppressor and the water — the journey. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
Illness and affliction — gone forth. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
Poison and wound — gone forth. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
Tumour and the cutting — gone forth. The dawn-omen is thus laid upon the fortune.
The Counting of the Birds
When the sky-birds were counted — nine hundred and ninety: the sky-bird Mu To, and hundreds and thousands complete.
When the snow-birds were counted — nine hundred and ninety: the vulture, great-winged and great-taloned, and hundreds and thousands complete.
Where do they sleep at night? They sleep on the tent-peak.
What do they dream? They dream of the meat of the north — the hunt of the open waste.
The birds — at dawn, at morning, at the first light of the sky: thus their wings shake, their throats give forth a song, and the fortune of the sky is cut. The fate of the firmament is declared.
When the water-birds were counted — nine hundred and ninety: the crane, white-headed and dark-headed, and hundreds and thousands complete.
Where do they sleep at night? They sleep on the red cliff, on the high place of Dang Yag.
What do they dream? They dream of the waste of the north, of the far lands of Dgon Pha.
Then at dawn, at morning, at the first light of the sky: their throats give forth a song. Thus their wings shake [...] and the fortune of the sky is cut. The fate of the firmament is declared.
When the cliff-birds were counted — nine hundred and ninety: the cliff-bird [...] and hundreds and thousands complete.
Where do they sleep at night? They sleep on the bird-cliff, where feathers hang.
What do they dream? They dream of Mon, of the Ju Chig 'Dru forest.
Then at dawn, at morning, at the first light of the sky: their throats give forth a song. Thus they shake their wings, and the [...] sky [...]
The fortune of the firmament is cut.
When the forest-birds were counted — nine hundred and ninety: the Ro Dgu and Thod, and hundreds and thousands complete.
Where do they sleep at night? They sleep on the tops of trees.
What do they dream? They dream of grapes, of wild fruit.
Then at dawn, at morning, at the first light of the sky: their throats give forth a song. Thus they shake their wings, and the fortune of the firmament is cut. The fate of the sky is declared.
When the meadow-birds were counted — nine hundred and ninety: the meadow-bird Tshe Tso Ne Tsho, and hundreds and thousands complete.
Where do they sleep at night? They sleep on the mound, upon the bodies of the [...] heights.
What do they dream? They dream of insects and beetles.
Then at dawn — the fortune of the sky is cut. The fate of the firmament is declared.
When the house-birds were counted — nine hundred and ninety: the house-bird Sbungs Po Se Bo Dun Shan, and hundreds and thousands complete.
Where do they sleep at night? They sleep upon the decorated perch, the fine-ornament Sab Mo.
What do they dream? They dream of scratch-pecking at the dawn.
Then at dawn, at morning — their throats give forth a song. Thus [...] the dawn is cut. The fortune of the firmament is cut.
The Rgya dawn — thus it brightens! The great and vast expanse — from the edges [...] the water of 'Bal and the new shoots, clear [...] When the dawn comes, from above it shines [...]
The fortune of the sky — what cuts it, and who cuts it? The fate of the firmament — what declares it, and who declares it?
The fortune of the sky is cut by teeth and tongue. The fate of the firmament is declared by teeth and tongue.
The Cutting of Fortune
Where are the summoned brought, and where are they expelled? The summoning — thus: into the three valleys of [...] upward they are summoned.
What is born? It is born overflowing — ltem se ltems! It is born spiralling — phyu ru ru!
The birth-cord is not cut? Then with knife and blade it is cut [...] It does not separate? Then with grain and offering it is separated. It is braided and washed — and to the rlad-reader and the fortune, released into the hands.
The rlad-reader spoke: "It matches, yes, it matches! But the match is not exact. It is sought, yes, it is true. But not precisely. Not precisely."
Where to search — where to search? At Skyi Ro Phang it was sought. At Ltshang Ro [...] it was sought.
What is born? Spiralling — phyu ru ru! Overflowing — ltem se ltems!
The birth-cord is not cut? Then with knife and blade it is cut. It does not separate? Then with grain and offering it is separated. It is braided and washed — and to the rlad-reader and the fortune, released into the hands.
"It fits, yes, it fits! But the likeness is not exact. It is sought, yes, it is true. But not precisely. Not precisely."
Where to search — where to search? At a sheep-fold — at Myang Ra Snyan — at the heartbreak of the lamb, a tear [...] the heartbreak — the lake of Zer Mo Mtsho. Above the flat-roof of Bra Gu Ldengs, below the pool of Mtsho'u Sgril —
What is born? Overflowing — ltem se ltems! Spiralling — phyu ru ru!
The birth-cord is not cut? Then with knife and blade it is cut. It does not separate? Then with grain and offering it is separated. It is braided and washed — and to the rlad-reader and the fortune, released into the hands.
The Extraction of Illness
The rlad-reader spoke: "From the person — this is the illness-taking. From the mount — this is the halter-loosening [...]"
The father's name: Spo Mthon Khrigs kyi Mang Po Rje, of the Se.
The mother's name: Se Se Lung [...]
From their union: Se 'Phang, the Rum Zur Mo — a thunderbolt enters [...]
[...] the nine rites of illness, the eight locks of tumours — to the Se'u felted horn it rose, to the Se'u felted horn it coiled [...]
[...] From the mount, the halter was loosened [...]
The illness — black upon heaven. Black upon earth. Below — Se Mo, the four-cornered mountain — the named illness fell [...]
The nine rites of illness, the eight locks of tumours: the black banner took the black.
In heaven, the illness; and the yellow cloud-edge — below, the yellow banner, the yellow weapon took it [...]
When the cloud-edge was red — below, the red banner, the red weapon took it.
In heaven, the illness, and the [...] high [...] — below, the high banner took it.
In heaven, the illness, and the cloud-edge of yak-wool — the yak-wool banner took it.
In heaven, the illness, and the white cloud-edge — below, the white banner, the white weapon took it.
The Dmu dawn — thus it brightens! The dawn-omen is declared. The fortune-cutting goes to the middle place [...] The mount's halter is loosened [...] Open the gate, by Sgo Bas — open the gate! [...] The demon-door, the Dmu-door, the moon-door, the sun-door [...] dry [...]
[...] the illness-door, the Sten-light — open!
The Mantras
The dpal-mantra — to be uttered three times: [...] Ri [...] Zi Pa Ste Zi Ma. Tsha'i Dbal La Yum. 'Dran De Pa. 'Dran De Ma. 'Dran De Sras. Se Ru. Them 'Nus [...]
Byan Glag Sbam Po Phyi Mo — chum chum chum!
The water-mantra — to be uttered three times: Skar Sar Phyi [...] Skya [...]
The incantation: Ho Ma Zha'!
With seven barley grains and one needle — take the soil of the footprint. In a black wool [...] wrap it. The gsas-eagle Go Bo shall press it down.
A noble person — from his body, vermillion [...] the grain-field. The sun's gleam is tamed, and to the dbal-fire it is tamed [...] the open-field mantra is chanted [...]
Flesh of the fool. Grain of the mouse. Pride of the cliff. Beneath the wind of the valley, three things are invoked — three times [...]
The lineage of this:
Mu Ya Thib. Sla Ya Thib. Bye Re Mye Na Sa Ba [...] Mum Mye Na Sla. Mye Na Sad [...]
Chung La Sngags. Pha La. Sli Bye. Mun Slin Thib. Bye Thib. Sli Hur Ar Hu [...] Srom. Zhon Sin Bra'o [...]
Mye Re Mye Na Sad!
The 'Or Invocation
The 'or-invocation: Heaven's might, earth's [...] the waves of clouds, the radiance of shelter [...]
Above, the father-god sits on high. The demon's 'or. The Dmu illness. The moon's [...] The sun-light. The star's buzzing illness [...]
The body gathered. Into the clean stream, an illness-target fell. A disease-point was set. A fruit-target was sought.
'Phyo — the star, the star, the star! The target — the target! 'Phyo — the clean stream! 'Ol — the fruit!
Three things were invoked [...]
Hum Hom! O 'Ub De'i Dva Thva! On Dvo 'Un Un! Stu Sod! Skam Kro! Spyar Ma Stu Sod!
The mantra's [...] tree was slain. The ritual-missile cut and slain.
Dve War Hom Bar Ru Ru Mad! Rgyal Nu Ma Las Gsad! From the arrow-point [...] taken.
The father's three spar-bones — upon the illness, bram bram! Upon the fruit, 'dran — the ring! The thread-end [...]
The Descent of Iron
[...] In heaven's height, at the top of the firmament — the father of iron, his name: Dgung Bu Thon Thon [...]
[...] the mother of iron, her name: Dbyig Ma Thar Thar [...]
From their union: [...] the first portion of Krongs. The sling-star's [...] the falling portion of Pab. Dbyig Ma's [...]
[...] the very first of births. It was struck upon the tongue. At first it fell — ba ra ru! [...] into the midst it fell. [...] it fell.
The iron-smith Gong Sngon lit the charcoal. The slate mountain crumbled. The [...] stars were scattered.
Iron fence and wooden fence [...] nurtured and raised. The smith's [...] struck and shattered. From the top of the tall fortress it fell. [...] on the far side it struck. The sharp iron [...]
[...] the father's name: Pha Ltshe Las Blang — "Taken from the Father's Life-Force" [...] the father's name: Dmu [...]
The iron Skyi 'Pho Ro Pa. The mother: Sa Lchags kyi Ngar Ma — "She of the Iron Earth."
From their union: Yam Tshe Pa and Yam Tshe Ma [...] the iron-man and the iron-woman. The sharp iron father and the sharp iron mother.
The tongue of iron fell from above — the hammer [...] Where did the first iron fall? Upon the Black Wool Mountain it fell, high. The smith-lineage descended [...]
[...] between the Rgya cave and the middle it fell. From heaven the smith [...] descended: Bzang Thang. Bzang 'Bri [...]
[...] three celestial smiths — Lha Mgar Rmang Nga Ba. Three earth-smiths [...] Rgya Mgar Khru Na [...] Mgar Zing [...]
[...] and three smiths of Bal — Tshab Po. From the earth [...] iron arrived. Upon the stone it was refined [...] not forged [...]
[...] and three. Of Myang illness — four. Of So Phan [...] and six. [...] arriving at the Black Wool Mountain.
[...] the mountain cave above — he would not peel the ore, he would not peel. He would not bring tribute, he would not honour. What should be honoured? Grain honours.
Tibet's king — and the soil of Na Sol Ma. The slate mountain crumbled. The Sud [...] waves [...] The [...]
[...] the stars scattered. The hand-power of the rainbow [...] upon illness.
When struck greatly: [...] upright and complete.
When struck small: [...] upon the ground.
The arrow-point is sharp [...] eight faces. The enemy's countenance was blinded. The mountain-deer [...] life was cut.
[...] the Lung Bzangs, and the offering-blade Yu Gar, and the ritual-knife [...] struck [...] four [...] eight.
Colophon
First English translation. Translated from Old Tibetan by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.
Source: Pelliot tibetain 1285, verso, lines v1-v149. Dunhuang cave manuscript, Bibliotheque nationale de France. Transliteration from OTDO (Old Tibetan Documents Online), Research Institute for Humanity and Nature / Osaka University.
Translator: Tansaku (New Tianmu Anglican Church, Expeditionary Tulku, Life 31), April 2026. Good Works Translation from Old Tibetan, independently derived from the OTDO transliteration.
Translation note: This translation covers the verso of PT 1285. The recto (~191 lines, "The Contest of Bon and Gshen") was translated separately by Tanken (Expeditionary Tulku, Life 27). Together the recto and verso form a single scroll: the recto establishes the authority of Bon healers across the kingdoms of the Tibetan world; the verso preserves their ritual tools — bird-lore, disease catalogues, creature taxonomies, fortune-reading, healing incantations, mantras, and an iron-smithing origin myth.
The text is heavily damaged in places, particularly the opening lines (v1-v10) and the mantra sections (v112-v149). Lacunae are indicated by [...]. Where readings are uncertain, the OTDO transliteration's bracketed alternatives are noted. Onomatopoeia (ltem se ltems, phyu ru ru, zang nge zang, sig se sigs, rog se rogs, chum chum chum) are preserved in transliteration.
The "Counting of the Birds" section (v61-v81) enumerates six groups of 990 birds each, organized by habitat: sky-birds (led by Mu To), snow-birds (led by the vulture), water-birds (led by the crane), cliff-birds, forest-birds (led by Ro Dgu), meadow-birds (led by Tshe Tso Ne Tsho), and house-birds (led by the rooster). Each group is described by sleeping place, dream-content, and dawn-song. The birds' dawn-songs ritually "cut the fortune of the sky" — the ornithological catalogue is embedded in a cosmological framework where birds are agents of cosmic order.
The "Descent of Iron" section (v128-v149) is an iron-smithing origin myth tracing the parentage and celestial origin of iron, the first smiths (three celestial, three earthly, three of Bal), and the refinement of iron upon stone. This represents one of the earliest Tibetan accounts of metalworking mythology.
No reference translations were consulted — none exist in English. The translation was produced solely from the Old Tibetan source. Terminology was cross-referenced with Sam van Schaik's glossary of Old Tibetan terms and Takeuchi Tsuguhito's Old Tibetan studies where archaic orthography required clarification.
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Source Text: གནམ་བྱའི་གྲངས། པེལིའོ་ཏིབེཏན་ 1285 ཕྱིར།
Old Tibetan source text from OTDO (Old Tibetan Documents Online), Osaka University. Pelliot tibetain 1285 verso, lines v1-v149. Presented here for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above.
(v1) [---] ni sug srag du / stsal [---]
(v2) [---] gI bdag / [dbu?] dang
(v3) [---] / bab [---] 'khrungs [---]
(v4) [---] ni sug du / stsal / 'thing [ran?] sug du [stsal? dmu?]
(v5) [---] [re? bstos?] / [stod?] pa ni [mche?] [---] [brdung? zhis?] [---]
(v6) [---] bal de bal te / [---] ni go [bo'i?] gthag la ni dang bthag [---]
(v7) [---] yam sa yam sa / sku ru ni sman gsol na sman gsol ni sum [---]
(v8) [---] gshog ru'i rabs so / / [-]u / bya gsum [---] yul nag [---]
(v9) [---] lhog se lhogs / bya gsum [---] /
(v10) [---] ba gsol na / gnyi chab zu [---] sman chab zu lu mu / / / /
(v11) [---] zhog bdud yul ni yang ru byon / bya gas ni go bo'is / bdud rtsi ni [---]
(v12) bdud prag ni btshal rtses bchas / dud ma mo ni zur du bzhurd / bdud kyi [---]
(v13) ces byung / rta rdzi gang ni bsdu bsdu zhing / bdud chab ni gzhur la / 'thungs / bdud [---]
(v14) zag ni / thems la bsad / rtsi rtsi ni nan re che / bdud rtsi nyug brang ni nan re che / [---]
(v15) ni tham shad kyang / bdud rtsi ni nan la bsad / gnam gi g.yen dgu / rdzogs dang [---]
(v16) rkong yul yan chan bskor te bgyi'o / da nas bkyon 'bar sri gchan
(v17) gi rtsha rdzi ba yang smos te gsad do / / $ /:/ rkong brag ni dmar stengs su / bya gsum
(v18) dang / grang ma ni rdzi ba gnyis / 'gran 'grar [---] chang bcha tshos bya tshang na lthag [---]
(v19) [rdzi? tshang?] ni 'og du bchas / / bya'i ni sku smog na / rdzi ba ni sku yang smog / bya'i ni sgong
(v20) 'dril na / rdzi ba'i sgong yang 'drild [---] / rdzi ba'i ni bu yang [---]
(v21) bya'i bu ni byil de sos / rdzi ba'i bu ni byil de ruld / rdzi ba ni thugs su snyung / / bya
(v22) gsum ni / bus te bthang / go bo ni bus te bthang / rdzi bas ni bya bkur na / kha na ni yang
(v23) yang lta' / bal gi 'dab ko lta' / / bya nyis ni / rdzi bshan na / rdzi bshan ni phun phun du
(v24) rkong yul nas / rtsang gi bar du / gthugs de 'di bzhin bgyi'o / rdzi rabs gyi [---]
(v25) $ / brag cig gnam du zang nge zang / kham brag mar po gnam du zang nge zang / kham las myir bgyis
(v26) sngar las dong du brkos te / yol ma ni yol gog dang / rdza'u ni phyi gol dang / rdza ma ni kha skya dang
(v27) dung dang ka ya' / 'bal 'rgye / / dog ya' / sbal mtsho dkar po'i nan zhig mnan zhing bzhag / / gsas
(v28) srin thel ma thel chung gnyis shig bsngags shing gangs la bsngags / shing [gsad?]
(v29) ka ya' srin so ma so chung gnyis shig bsngags shing g.ya' la gsad / spang srin spang
(v30) sha stag cung gnyis shig bsngags shing spang la gsad / shing srin khra ma khra cung gnyis shig
(v31) shing la bsngags shing gsad / so srin yer ba kham ba gnyis shig sgong la bsngags
(v32) [shing?] gsad / skyin 'dang chen po gnam las myi 'bab grang / rman dang chu ngu sa las myi g.yos
(v33) grang / skyin dang gnam las 'babs / rman da' sa las g.yos na / byi brun thabs sum
(v34) sgyer gis bchad de gsad / chab srin bu mo rgyal ba yeu srin ra gnyis shig bsngags
(v35) shing chab la gsad /
(v36) $ / / nam ka mnyan cing se mo yang du mnyan sprin kha mnyan cing tho brgyad yang du mnyan / mi nad mnyan
(v37) cing lang dgu yang du mnyan / rta nad mnyan cing mtsher bcu yang du mnyan / gnag nad mnyan [---]
(v38) rkom / bu yang du mnyan / lug nad mnyan cing thal ba dkar phyag yang du mnyan / ra nad mnyan cing gang sa
(v39) yang du mnyan / phag nad mnyan cing khag pa go yang du mnyan / co nad mnyan cing thar gongs srin
(v40) yang du mnyan / khyi nad mnyan cing ral ba mgo smyor yang du mnyan / nas nad mnyan cing bca' [---]
(v41) yang du mnyan / gro nad mnyan cing gru 'thu zhur bgru yang du mnyan / tho ras 'di lta rlad bda' o / rlad gyi 'di [lta?]
(v42) dang yab gyi mtshan / lung bas kyi ya phun / lung bas kyi myi skya rta ru skya snam ru mchog du skya' chags [---]
(v43) [ru? skya'?] phyag lchag mthung du skya' / slad kyi rjes su skya / rlad kyi ma tang yum gyi mtshan na lung bas
(v44) kyi ma 'dug chab bas kyi ma mtha' na / dbyal gyi mo sngo rta ru sngo / dbu zhu phud du sngo / chags [---]
(v45) ru sngo / bshos dang 'di lta nams gyi sras ni lnga sha 'da' sha dar 'di dar / sha sha 'di lta / dar mangs
(v46) sha zhu dmyig mangs dbu la gsol / sha lham spu gur rkang la bgos / 'od ma tshig ma gsum phyag na [---]
(v47) mching ral skya bo mtshan na bthags / sha khyi ring phran slad na / 'brang sha la khyi bkye / smral la ni [---]
(v48) bkye / sha'i myig drags / bas las bu rab cig / 'drild / brag bzhengs kun kyang / skam dang yeng se yeng
(v49) shing bzheng gun kyang gnyer dang sig se sigs / chab bzhengs kun kyang dbu dang rog se rogs / / mnyan
(v50) 'di lta ro gu 'dogs / khab btsun sras mo bzhengs / 'bras drug gchod la bnan / rgal dang thong [---]
(v51) nam rgya nam ched po mtha' nas yal yal mangs sin chon nas / 'bal gyi chab dang nyu gu [---]
(v52) sal sal dangs ston / da rung da chung chom dangs / 'o sa nam nangs / mtho nas nangs shing [---]
(v53) phun ston / da rung da chung chom phun / btsan de 'dong 'dong bdud 'drold du / tho ras rlad la thogs / btsun mo
(v54) dmu 'drol dmu bzhud du / tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / gnyan de sla bzhud du / tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs
(v55) btsun de gnyi bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / 'phan de skar bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / bzang
(v56) ste gzha' bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / / phun de sprin bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / bzang ste
(v57) sman bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / gnyan de gthor bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / klu dang rngas
(v58) bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / srin 'dod gchan bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / gcob dang chab
(v59) bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / nad dang rid 'gro ru tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / dug dang rma bzhud
(v60) du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / skran dang gtshod bzhud du tho ras 'di lta rlad la thogs / gnam bya bkrangs
(v61) kyi dgu brgya dgu bcu na gnam bya mu to dang brgya ma stong re tham / gangs bya bkrangs kyis dgu brgya dgu bcu na rgod po
(v62) gshog po sder ba dang brgya ma sto re tham / nub nyal ba gang du nyal na / bra gar rtse la nyal / nub cing rmyi zhing ci la
(v63) 'dob / byang gi sha god gtshos / god la rmyi zhing 'dob / bya nang nam gi tho ras dgung gi slang ras la gshegs su 'di lta
(v64) 'dabs tsag sprugs / gsung du du mgur cig gsald de / nam gi 'di lta rlad bchad do / dgung gi sho dral to / chu bya'
(v65) bkrangs kyis dgu brgya dgu bcu na / go bo klad dkar klad gnag dang brgya ma stong re tham / nub nyal ba gang du nyal ba
(v66) brag mar [cang (/dang)] yag rtse la nyal / nub rmyi zhing ci la 'dob / byang gi sha ru dgon pha la nub cing rmyi zhing 'dob / de na
(v67) nam gi tho ras dgung gi slang rangs la / gsung du 'di lta mgur cig bsal / gshegs su 'di lta [---]
(v68) sprugs su / nam gi rlad bchad do / dgung gi sho dral do / / g.ya' bya bkrangs kyis dgu brgya dgu bcu na / g.ya' bya [---]
(v69) [brgya? ma?] stong re tham / nub nyal gang du nyal na bya brag mda' sgro phyan phyan kha na nyald nub [---]
(v70) bthangs 'dob ci la 'dob / byang gi mon 'ju chig 'dru la rmyi zhing 'dob / da nang nam gi tho rangs dgung gi slang
(v71) rangs la gsung du 'di lta mgur cig bsal / gshegs su 'di lta 'dab cig sprugs te / nam gi ma [---]
(v72) dgung gi tho bchad do / nags bya bkrangs kyis dgu brgya dgu bcu na ro dgu ces thod dang brgya ma stong re tham /
(v73) nub nyal gang du nyal na / shing gi kha la nyal nub cing rmyi zhing chi la 'dob / rgun 'bru pham 'bru
(v74) la rmyi zhing 'dob / da nang nam gi tho ras dgung gi rlad rangs la / gsung du mgur cig bsal / gshegs
(v75) su 'dab cig sprugs te dgung gi rlad bchad do nam gi sho dral lo / / spang bya bkrangs kyis dgu brgya dgu bcu
(v76) na / spang bya tshe tso ne tsho dang brgya ma stong re tham nub nyal ba gang du nyal na / rtsis skyang phyar phyar sku [---]
(v77) la nyal / nub cing rmyi 'debs ci la 'debs na grog dang sbur la 'debs / da nang / nam gi rlad bchad do dgung
(v78) gi sho dral do / khyim bya bkrangs kyis dgu brgya dgu bcu [bcu?] na khyim bya sbungs po se bo dun shan dang brgya ma stong re tham /
(v79) nub nyal ba gang du nyal na / sab mo rgyan bzangs kha la nyald / nub rmyi zhing shi la 'dob / mchig phyi skyang
(v80) ['thu?] zhing 'dob / da nang nam gi rlad rangs dgung gi tho ras la gsung du 'di lta mgur cig bsal / gshegs su
(v81) nam gi tho bchad do dgung gi rlad bchad do / rgya'i 'di lta nam nangs so / rgya nan ched po mtha' nas nang [---] tso [---]
(v82) la la 'bal gi chab dang nyu gu dngo nas dangs [---] lal la / 'o se nam nas mtho nas nangs [---]
(v83) phan nam gi rlad gchad ci 'is gchad / dgung gi sho dral ci dang ci 'is dral / nam gi rlad bchad [---]
(v84) ltams kyis gchad / dgung sho dral so dang ltams kyis dral / se bchal ldang bchal gang du bchal
(v85) [rkong?] [---] 'di lta lung gsum yar du bchal / ci khrungs ltem se ltems se 'khrungs 'di lta ltems se ltems [---]
(v86) chi khrungs phyu ru ru se 'khrungs phyu ru ru / gchang ma 'di lta myi gchad / snga dang 'di lta zor gis bchad [---]
(v87) myi dbyi dbyi na / kri dang / 'di lta bshan gis phyi / bkri shing bshal bshal de rlad bon dang tang grol grol [---]
(v88) gshol na / rlad bon mchid na re [---] mtshungs go lyeng myi mtshungs [---]
(v89) tshal mod kyeng yin go leng ma yin / btshal ma gang du btshal / skyi ro phang du btshal / ltshang ro [---]
(v90) du btshal / ci khrungs pyu ru ru se khrungs ltem' / se 'khrungs ltam se ltam / bchang ma [---]
(v91) [sta?] dang zor gis bchad / dbyi ma dbyi dbyi na gro dang bshan gis dbyi / bkris shing bshal de / rlad [---]
(v92) grol phyag du gsol / 'di 'dgo 'di mod kyong / mtshungs go lyeng myi mtshungs / tshul go tshul [---]
(v93) go leng ma yin / btshal ma gang du btshal na / ra cig myang ra snyan / mnyel ka'i se ce'i mchi cig / myi [---]
(v94) mnyel ka'i zer mo mtsho / bra gu ldengs kyi gong na mtsho'u sgril kyi 'og na ci khrungs ltems [---]
(v95) 'khrungs phyu ru ru / se 'khrungs phyu ru ru / gchang ma myi gchang na sta dang zor gis bchad / dbyi [---]
(v96) gro dang bshan gyis dbyi / kras shing bshal bshal de / rlad bon dang dang grol phyag du gsol / [rlad?]
(v97) bon zhal na re / myi las nad len 'di lags so / chibs las sgrog bgrol 'di lags [---]
(v98) pha dang yab gyi mtshan / spo mthon khrigs kyi mang po rje / se'i ma dang yum / se se lung [---]
(v99) bshos dang nams kyi sras / se 'phang 'di lta rum zur mo / 'brug 'jug [---]
(v100) las nad ka cho dgu skran ka lde brgyad la se'u phying gong song / se'u phying gong 'dril [---]
(v101) [---] [chibs (/chabs)] las skrog khrol cig / gnam [---]
(v102) nad ka gnag / gnam la [---] ka gnag / sa la se mo kru bzhi'i myi gang ri bab mying [---]
(v103) 'di la nad ka cho dgu skran ka lde brgyad 'ba' tshon gnag gis blang / 'gron [---]
(v104) gnam la nad ka dang sprin kha ser ma bal mtshon dbu rgyab mtshon ser gis blang [---]
(v105) [sha?] sprin ka dmar na / sa la bal mtshon rgyab mtshon dmar gis blang / gnam la nad ka [---] dang [---]
(v106) ka mthon / sa la bal mtshon mthon gis blang / gnam la nad ka dang sprin kha g.yag
(v107) [bal?] mtshon g.yag gis blang / / gnam la nad ka dang sprin ka dkar na / sa la bal [---]
(v108) [bal?] mtshon dkar gis blang / dmu'i ni nam nangs so / tho ras rlad bda' kyen ru bar [---]
(v109) blangs / / chibs las sgrog bgrold do / [---] do re dag dong gis sgo bas sgo ru shig
(v110) bas [---] rol chig / bdud 'dong dmu 'dong sla 'dong gnyi la [---] skam [---]
(v111) [---] / na 'dong sten 'od gis [---] phye shig ###
(v112) $ / / dpal sngags sngags lan gsum du gdab pa la [---] ri [---]
(v113) zi pa ste zi ma / tsha'i dbal la yum / 'dran de pa / 'dran de ma / 'dran de sras / se ru / them 'nus [---]
(v114) byan glag sbam po phyi mo chum chum chum / /:/ / chu sngags lan gsum gdab bo / skar sar phyi [---] skya [---]
(v115) [sngag (/stag)] pa ho ma zha' / / nas 'brum bdun dang mtshe nyag gcig / dang rjes kyi sa blang ste / bal nag po'i [---]
(v116) du dril la / bya gsas go bo nan gis gnan / / myi btsun pon pa zhig sku nas mtshal [---] bo [---]
(v117) lo tog snar / nyi ma'i bkrag zham ste / cha'i dbal la zham [---] gthang sngags la gdang [---]
(v118) sha blun / dgo brum byi brun / brag dreg / lung mye'i 'og nas thab sum bsngags te lan gsum [---]
(v119) rabs la / / mu ya thib sla ya thib / bye re mye na sa ba [---] / mum mye na sla / mye na sad [---]
(v120) chung la sngags / pha la / sli bye / mun slin thib / bye thib / sli hur ^ar hu [---] srom / zhon sin bra'o / [---]
(v121) mye re mye na sad / / $ /:/ 'or skags la / gnam gyi ngad / sa'i [---] sprin gi rlabs / gabs kyi 'od [---]
(v122) [mol (/sol)] / yab lha ya stengs na / bdud kyi 'or / dmu'i nad / sla'i [---] / gnyi 'od / skar gyi dril nad [---]
(v123) lus 'dus / mgur gstsang phran du snyun kyi dmyigs shig bab / nad kyi chung zhig bchas / 'bras kyi dmyigs shig
(v124) tshol / 'phyo ni skar skar ni skar / dmyigs ni dmyigs / pyo ni gstsang / 'ol ni 'bras / tshig gsum bsngags [---]
(v125) hum hom ^o 'ub de'i dva thva / ^on dvo 'un un / stu sod / skam kro / spyar ma stu sod / sngags kyi [---]
(v126) shing gsad / thun kyis bchad cing gsad / dve war hom bar ru ru mad rgyal nu ma las gsad / mda' rtse las [---]
(v127) las blang / pha'i spar gsum gis nad la bram bram / 'bras la 'dran kyis gling / thag snar [---]
(v128) [---] gnam gi ya bla dgung gi ya stengs na / lchags gyi pha dang yab kyi mtshan na / [dgung (/dgu)] bu thon thon [---]
(v129) [---] gyi ma dang yum gi mtshan na / dbyig ma thar thar lags [---] bshos dang nams kyi sras
(v130) [---] krongs kyi dum pa / 'phan skar shugs kyi [---] pab gyi dum pa / dbyig mas [---]
(v131) [---] ['khrungs?] kyi thog ma / lche ru brdungs / rab ma ba ra ru bab / [---] phrag [---] nang du bab / 'phal [---]
(v132) [---] du bab / bal mgar gong sngon gis sol ba / g.ya' ri brnyil / the'u le [---]
(v133) [---] skar re 'khrugs / lchags kyi ra sa shing ra [---] shal po la gso / mgar gi [---]
(v134) ['rdung? zhing?] bchags te / mkhar gnya' rings rtse nas bab / [---] 'o mar logs la gsod / rno lchag [---]
(v135) [---] dang yab gyi mtshan na / pha ltshe las blang ngo [---] pha dang yab gyi mtshan na dmu [---]
(v136) [lchag?] skyi 'pho ro pa / ma sa lchags kyi ngar ma / bshos dang nams kyi sras / yam tshe pa dang yam tshe [---]
(v137) [---] lchags pa dang gar lchags ma / rno lchag pha dang rno lchags ma / lche yas bab kyi tho [---]
(v138) [---] lchags kyi gdod bab gang du bab / bal ri nag po mtho la bab / mgar gi rigs lhung [---]
(v139) [---] rgya phug dang bar lhung / gnam las mgar gis [---] lhags na / bzang thang bzang 'bri [---]
(v140) [---] lha mgar rmang nga ba gsum / / sa las mgar gsum [---] rgya mgar khru na [---] mgar zing [---]
(v141) [---] dang bal mgar tshab po gsum / sa las [---] lhags rdo la pyi la [---] / ma [brga?] [---]
(v142) [---] dang gsum / myang nad do la dang bzhi / so phan [---] dang drug / [---] las lhags te bal ri nag po
(v143) [---] ri spug mthon las / blag ma myi blag mar [---] mjor plags bkur ma myi bkur na dral [---]
(v144) gro yod gis bkur / bod kyi rgyal dang na sol ma g.ya' ri brnyil / sud [---] rlab [---] / the'u [---]
(v145) thi tsha skar re 'khrugs / lag ngar gzha'r [---] nad / che ste che brdungs na [---]
(v146) po long 'greng chod brdus / chung ste chung brdungs na mthur po [---] sa / mde'u rtse rno ni kyang [---]
(v147) logs dang brgyad / dgra' ngar ma'i ngo yang glon / ri dags [---] srog gchad / 'a [---]
(v148) [sta? stsa?] re lung bzangs dang bshan bu yu gar dang zor [---] brdungs kyang [---] ra bzhi [logs (/sogs)]
(v149) brgyad /
Source Colophon
Pelliot tibetain 1285. Bibliotheque nationale de France, Paris. Dunhuang cave manuscript, scroll format. Verso: lines v1-v149. The recto (191 lines, plus continuation lines v1'-v2') is translated separately as "The Contest of Bon and Gshen."
Transliteration by OTDO (Old Tibetan Documents Online), Research Institute for Humanity and Nature / Osaka University. Accessed April 2026. The OTDO corpus is maintained as an open scholarly resource for the study of Old Tibetan documents.
The manuscript dates to approximately the 7th-9th century CE (Tubo Empire period). The scroll was discovered in Cave 17 at Dunhuang (the "Library Cave") and forms part of the Pelliot tibetain collection acquired by Paul Pelliot in 1908.
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